If you write fiction, you understand the term “pantser” (as opposed to “plotter.) That’s me. (No, that doesn’t mean you write by the seat of your pants). You just, um, start with the basic idea and the book often takes off on its own. I do have a general idea and a basic recipe for this apple pie. But the ingredients vary as I go. The milk and oil crust is my favorite kind of crust! Here’s my free Basic “Pantser” Apple Pie recipe:
Crust
2 Cups flour (your favorite kind) The one in this picture I used 2 cups spelt flour.
1/2 Cup oil (your choice, but olive oil is too heavy, of course)
1/4 Cup Milk (sometimes I add a T. of vinegar to make it like buttermilk)
1 tsp. or so of salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix ingredients for crust together into one ball and separate into two smaller ones. Roll out one for bottom crust on a waxed paper sheet. Flip over into pie plate carefully (upside down) and gradually peel away the waxed paper, forming the dough into the plate. Set the other dough aside and mix your filling.
10-12 Apples (using two or three kind make the best flavor–Granny Smith, Gala, Delicious, etc.) Use more apples for a piled on look, less for a flatter pie.
Cinnamon – splash in however much you want – from 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp., depending on how spicy you like it.
Nutmeg – a few shakes will probably do it.
Tapioca – the old-fashioned grain kind that you use to make your own pudding. Sprinkle in as much as you want to give a little sweet crunch.
Honey/Sugar – I use 1/2 C. or so coconut sugar and approx. 1/4 C honey.
Drizzle of lemon juice – I sprinkle this over my apples as I’m slicing to keep them from turning brown.
Dab of cornstarch – depending on how juicy the apples are. Sometimes I add a TBSP. or more if necessary.
Dot of butter
tsp. or so of milk
Slice and peel apples into a bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice as you go. Add spices, honey, and tapioca, and mix well with spoon. Add flour if needed. Spoon mixture onto pie shell in plate. Dot with butter. Roll out the other pie dough on another sheet of waxed paper. Then turn it upside down and very carefully lay it on top of the pie, peeling the waxed paper off slowly. Pinch crusts together and flute around the edges. If you want a fancy crust with strips, you can always cut the top dough into strips and lay across your pie. Take a knife and make four or five slits in the top crust to let it breathe while cooking. Brush milk on the top with pastry brush to add a golden browning look. Cook pie in preheated 400 degree oven for around 30-35 minutes (depends on the flours you used), and then lower temperature to 350 and cook for approx. 10 minutes, until golden brown, covering the top with foil if necessary to prevent excess browning.
Let cool slightly and enjoy a tasty slice, adding a healthy scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. (Well, there is a low carb ice cream).
ENJOY!!